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- Blackburn
- Furinkazen_54
Evolution & Revolution.
Two words that can be commonly attributed to motorsports. Also two words that can widely be attributed to the world of Sportscar Racing, and to the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Firstly run in 1923, the event has become a legend of motorsport. Over 8 miles of roads, mixed with regular french lanes and dedicated racing asphalt have for many years become a unique legend. A legend that has evolved with time. Elements have been neutered, such as the almighty Mulsanne straight, with chicanes in place to halt the increased technical advancements of cars. However in an environment of rulemakers vs designers and engineers, designers and engineers always win.
The current generation of "Le Mans Prototype 1" or "LMP1" are perhaps the most technologically exciting cars in motorsports worldwide. Combining a standard IC engine with a hybrid energy recovery system, the current generation LMP1 packs over 1200hp under acceleration. 0-200mph is 10 seconds in cars that are literal rocketships.
However, this years Le Mans shall feel different and perhaps a little strange. For the first time this millennium, the four rings of Audi shall be absent from the Le Mans 24 Hours. Audi's withdrawal, as part of the strategic adjustments of the VAG group, reduce the LMP1 field to two manufacturers. The WEC has survived with two manufacturers before - Audi vs Peugeot - but now they are both gone.
In there stead, stands the other efficient German battle tank. Porsche, the greatest manufacturer in the history of Le Mans, go for a third victory with the 919 Hybrid, with two cars. Standing in there way is a dignified samurai, the warriors of Japan. with 4 minutes left of the 2016 running, Toyota were poised to finally win the Le Mans 24 Hours. Then part failure lost them the win, in a cruel twist of fate. Toyota's response is to send a third car to the race, a numerical advantage in a titanic duel that shall light up La Sarthe for 2017.
LMP2 has undergone a revolution. A new spec of car has been introduced, with four approved manufacturers - ORECA, Riley, Ligier, Dallara. These have new spec Gibson V8 engines boasting 600hp, a huge power boost. ORECA numerically dominate a class that has some serious talent and class, with familiar team names and drivers - Alpine, Manor, TDS, G Drive with names such as Rusinov, Senna, Jarvis, Piquet, Petrov, Gommendy. With new spec parts, one of the most competitive classes in sportscars is set for an intense showdown.
2016 saw a new look GTE class. Big aero, more powerful engines for a class featuring an eclectic mix of machinery. Porsche return with a new mid engine variant of the timeless 911, against turbo-charged opposition from Ferrari and Ford, who's duel in 2016 featured some of the most debatable and clever managing of the regulations in many years.
Then there is the wailing Aston Martin Vantages, year on year looking more and more dated with it's front-engined layout that still are victory contenders on days when the opposition is on parity. Also joining them is the front-engined rivals of Corvette, one of the greatest teams in GT racing, who have dominated there class in the United States this year. GTE will be as ever, an unparalleled all-out manufacturer war, with older machinery running for honours in a very competitive category for manufacturers.
So GTPlanet, that's all the introduction you need, if there was any need for this event. I may frequent GTP less myself personally, but I shall be around here for arguably the most spectacular event in world Motorsports.
Welcome, GTPlanet... to Le Mans 2017.
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